Endocervical curette

Abstract

An endocervical curette is disclosed which has a detachable tip portion which includes a scraper for removing tissue from the cervical canal and a well for retaining the tissue. The tip portion is secured to a shaft portion when in use to collect tissue and then detached from the shaft before being sent to a laboratory for analysis of the collected tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A endocervical curette comprising an elongated shaft and a disposable tip and means for detachably securing said tip to one end of said shaft, said disposable tip including a scraper for removing tissue from the cervical canal and a well for retaining said tissue, said means for detachably securing said tip to one end of said shaft permitting the tip with retained tissue to be separated from said shaft whereby the tissue and tip without the shaft can be sent to a laboratory for analysis of the tissue. 
     
     
       2. An endocervical curette comprising a handle, a hollow shaft having one end secured to said handle, a disposable tip including a scraper for removing tissue and a well for receiving and retaining scraped tissue, a rod extending through said handle and shaft to extend beyond said shaft and releasably engage said tip and hold the same in engagement with said shaft to permit said tip with retained tissue to be released and separately sent to a laboratory for analysis of the tissue. 
     
     
       3. A curette as in claim 2 wherein the end of said shaft and the adjacent end of said tip have cooperating notches and protrusions for inter-engagement and to prevent rotation. 
     
     
       4. A curette as in claims 1 or 2 in which said tip comprises a plastic member and a metal scraper embedded in said member with the well adjacent said blade for collecting tissue sample. 
     
     
       5. A curette as in claim 1 wherein said well includes drainage openings.